On The Job

OCTOBER 27, 2008

Watch out: 5S may be coming to your workplace. And if it does, well, you have my condolences. I first read about 5S several months ago, and hoped it was a bad blip on the radar screen, sort of like a new High School Musical cast being assembled. But no, there it was on the front page of the Wall Street Journal this morning. For those who haven't heard of 5S (sort, straighten, shine, standardize and sustain), it was originally designed for the manufacturing floor as a way to keep things neat and

Manufacturing 180

Manufacturing Solution Communication Performance 180

Lateral Action

DECEMBER 29, 2008

David Bowie is most famous for his glam rock creation Ziggy Stardust, but his best and most interesting work centres around his 'Berlin period' - the three years he spent living in Berlin, producing the experimental electronic albums Low , "Heroes" and Lodger. At least that's what the man himself thinks, and I'm inclined to agree with him. So you can imagine my delight when Santa left me a copy of Thomas Jerome Seabrook's new book, Bowie in Berlin , telling the story of this period of Bowie's ca

Creativity 52

Creativity Electronics Career Creative Project 52

On The Job

OCTOBER 22, 2008

When was the last time you did something courageous at work? I'm not talking about cleaning out the office fridge (although that does take gumption) or trying a new font on your report. I'm talking about stepping out of your comfort zone, doing something that made your palms sweat or your knees quake. You may be wondering why in the world you would do something scary at work, when just being at work these days is frightening enough.

Career 179

Career Performance IT 179

On The Job

AUGUST 13, 2008

Recently I ran into a friend of mine who told me he's quitting his job and going back to school to become a registered nurse. I was a bit surprised: Quit a job in this economy? Take on more student loan debt? When I asked him why he was leaving a job that he seemed to love the last time I spoke to him about a year ago, he told me that he was simply exhausted, both emotionally and mentally.

Management 170

Management Management Mining Recruitment 170

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Professional development

On The Job

JULY 21, 2008

Before I get into discussing the issue of whether you can -- or should -- go over your boss's head, I'd like to share a little story with you. Once upon a time there was a young woman named Letitia Hood. Because her hair was a vibrant auburn color, and she was a bit vertically challenged, she was known in her office as Little Red Riding Hood -- or "Red" for short.

Career 165

Career Management Management Accomplishment 165

On The Job

AUGUST 4, 2008

I've interviewed enough experts over the years to know what a can of worms you open anytime you mention perfectionism. And perfectionism in the workplace? You're talking a whole caseload of worms. Doesn't it seem kind of strange that we would complain about someone who wants things to be perfect at work? After all, we strive to do a great job in order to get raises and promotions and more stock options.

Performance 146

Performance Mentor IT Creativity 146

On The Job

MARCH 6, 2008

You stroll into the job interview, feeling pretty confident. You’re got the qualifications the employer is looking for, and believe you really connected with the hiring manager. When you leave, you expect to be getting a call soon. You feel you’ve got this job in the bag. But after you leave, something happens. The executive asks the administrative assistant, or secretary, to step into the office.

Management 145

Management Management Consulting IT 145

On The Job

JULY 2, 2008

Anyone searching for a job knows the excitement of finally landing an interview. But just imagine how you would feel, after prepping for hours to make sure you're ready to answer questions about why you'd be great for the job, to have a hiring manager lean earnestly forward and ask: "If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?

Creativity 125

Creativity Food Career Management 125

On The Job

NOVEMBER 5, 2008

Do you sometimes think you've become the invisible employee? Do you think the only way your boss might pay attention to you is if you were holding a phone and saying: "I've got Oprah on the line for you!" You're not alone. Many people have felt ignored by their managers, but they are really beginning to fret more about it these days because they fear that "out of mind" may mean "out of a job" if layoffs hit their workplace.

Solution 114

Solution Management Management Strategy 114

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Education

On The Job

JANUARY 11, 2008

It’s no secret that many of us are doing twice -- if not three or four times -- the amount of work we were doing a few years ago. Downsizings and layoffs and the reliance on teams have caused organizations to ask each individual to perform a multitude of tasks, many of them simultaneously. And, of course, with all that works comes a lot of stress. Trying to find enough hours in the day to complete demanding projects while trying to please bosses and customers is a daunting task.

Management 114

Management Management Performance IT 114

On The Job

DECEMBER 31, 2008

While I thought about writing an uplifting, inspirational post today -- the last day of 2008 -- the truth is that I'm very much a realist at heart. Sure, I believe in hoping for the best -- but I'm one of those people who always prepares for the worst. I do have great hopes for 2009. I hope that the economy will improve, that those who have been laid off will find jobs and the St.

Real Estate 100

Real Estate Consulting Management Management 100

On The Job

DECEMBER 29, 2008

If you've ever been out of work, you know the feeling when the job offer finally comes. You want to scream, cry, kiss the feet of the hiring manager and dance in the streets. You're a wild mix of emotions and yet it's never been more important that you think clearly and put your brain in charge. It's time to negotiate. Now, some people may think that there's no room for negotiation in this job market.

Career 100

Career IT Management Management 100

On The Job

DECEMBER 26, 2008

I've been impressed by the number of blog posts I've read lately that urge people not to give in to despair in these despairing times, to remember that most of us have all that we really need: our friends, our family, our health. At the same time, I know that despite these pep talks there are people who, no matter how much they try, aren't feeling better.

Career 100

Career Development IT 100

Speaker: Tim Buteyn, President of ThinkingKap Learning Solutions

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Solution

On The Job

DECEMBER 22, 2008

I sent out a HARO request the other day asking for input on resume do's and dont's. I was flooded with so many good suggestions I couldn't use them all for my Gannett News Service and USAToday.com column, so I'm offering you a great deal today: Super resume advice at no cost to you! (I think I'm spending too much time reading the retailer ads that bombard my e-mail every day.

Retail 100

Retail Career Coach Career Coaching Career 100

On The Job

DECEMBER 19, 2008

I want you to think back to the last person you met for the first time and name as many details about the person as you can. Now, look at your list and consider the first three items. Do they look something like this? 1. Limp handshake. 2. Rarely made eye contact. 3. Awkward conversationalist. Or, more like this: 1. Great smile. 2. Confident manner. 3.

Career 100

Career Networking IT 100

On The Job

DECEMBER 17, 2008

Let's say someone held a taser to your chest right this minute and said: "Tell me the story of your career." Could you do it? I'm not sure I could -- being zapped by a taser is bound to make me a bit nervous and the most I might be able to do is give my name and e-mail address. But more and more, people want you to tell them career stories. They want to know of a time when you handled a problem at work, when you dealt with a difficult customer or when you led an important project.

Career 100

Career Solution Performance Creativity 100

On The Job

DECEMBER 15, 2008

Would you do your job if you didn't get paid? If you burst out laughing after reading this question, then this column is for you. If you've broken into tears at the question, this post is for you. If your stomach cramps and your vision starts to blur, this is definitely for you. This post is for all of you who can't imagine who or what you'd be without your job, but you do know that the word "love" or "passion" has never entered your consciousness when you talk about what you do for a living.

Executive Coach 100

Executive Coach Executive Coaching Career IT 100

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Career

On The Job

DECEMBER 11, 2008

"Welcome, Ms. Jones. Thank you for coming in for an interview today. I'd like to spend some time talking with you about your application and past work history." "Oh, thank you for calling me. I'd be very happy to answer any questions you might have." "OK, well let's start with an obvious one: Why do you want to work here?" "Well, I just think it's a great company.

Education 100

Education Management Management IT 100

On The Job

DECEMBER 8, 2008

You're trying not to grin like an idiot, but the truth is, you're feeling pretty full of yourself. In this rotten, stinky, abysmal economy -- you've been offered a job when you aren't even unemployed! OK, so now comes the time to decide: Do you accept the new job or try and get a counteroffer from your current employer? The truth is, your current job feels safe, and you're not 100 percent sure the new employer can offer you the same job security.

Management 100

Management Management Communication IT 100

On The Job

DECEMBER 5, 2008

This post is a bit different for me. Robert Hruzek at Middle Zone Musings put this challenge to me, and I decided to accept. (Anyone can participate.) You'll note, however, that this post actually does have something to do with the workplace, and the difference one person can make on the job. Everyone has a story about 9/11 – where they were and who they were with when they learned of the terrorist attacks.

IT 100

IT 100

On The Job

DECEMBER 2, 2008

Right before the Thanksgiving holiday, Miriam Salpeter tagged me for this meme, but I was rushing out the door for time with family, so I'm just getting around to playing along. Here goes: 1. I know firsthand the pain of layoffs. When I was a college senior, my Dad was laid off from a job he'd had for more than 20 years. The refinery employing more than 900 people closed, devastating my small town.

Career 100

Career Management Management IT 100

Speaker: Jennifer Brick, Career Strategist and Author

Your employees have checked out. The last few years have been a wild ride, with countless changes to how we work and our workplace cultures, like the sudden shift to remote work, the return to office, and trends like quiet quitting. With productivity, profitability, and your employer brand on the line, leadership is turning to HR to engage employees and recreate your culture in different working models.

Certification

On The Job

DECEMBER 1, 2008

I think there's probably nothing more demoralizing than looking for work and being unable to find a job. Because let's be honest: Despite all the pep talks you give yourself, it's miserable to send out resumes and not hear anything back, or land an interview and then never get an offer. You try to stay upbeat, but day after day of not finding work is tough.

Management 100

Management Management Leadership IT 100

On The Job

NOVEMBER 24, 2008

When I was a child, my mother often talked about living through the Depression. As the oldest child, she was sent to live with relatives when her family could no longer afford to feed all three children. Even though her time away from the family only lasted about a year, it greatly affected her life. She hated antiques. She thought of them as old, and old stuff meant poverty.

Career 100

Career Finance Banking Government 100

On The Job

NOVEMBER 20, 2008

My last post generated a lot of comments regarding the tougher stance employers may be taking regarding truthfulness from job seekers based on President-Elect Obama's criteria, and it got me to thinking about just how far the new administration may be willing to go when it comes to vetting job candidates. The Obama Administration is reportedly going to check into everything from an applicant's friends, family and associates to past e-mails, texts, online comments, etc., looking for anything that

Food 100

Food Accounting Career Management 100

On The Job

NOVEMBER 14, 2008

With the economy in the crapper, most people I know wouldn't even think of uttering the words "work/life balance." As more people are laid off, it's up to the survivors to pick up the work load and do it without complaint -- if they want to keep their job. But it's tough. Real tough. That's why I thought I'd end the week with a sort of optimistic view of what many of us are going through right now -- work/life imbalance.

IT 100

IT 100

Speaker: Francoise Tourniaire - Founder of FT Works, Omid Razavi - Chief Advocacy Officer at SupportLogic, and Gregory Walker - Senior Product Manager at SupportLogic

The 'great resignation' and the 'great talent reshuffle' have impacted contact center and customer support staff as much, if not more than, any other part of the workforce. Couple that with a potentially volatile economy and it's clear that organizations must invest in innovative approaches if they want employees who are engaged and informed enough to significantly improve the customer experience and eliminate the high costs associated with agent attrition.

Construction